Chess Mazes

Amazing MazesAccording to conventional wisdom, if you want to become a better, stron­ger chessplayer, you should try to (1) increase your tactical ability; (2) learn how to think over the board; and (3) improve your chess vision. But it is not always quite that simple. Some of the best executed plans are ruined by simple blunders. And if you are one who often loses games by hanging pieces or missing mates, then this is the book for you.There are many good books which present chess combinations and ex­plain tactical motifs with the goal of training your tactical ability. Think­ing techniques are also well covered in the game's literature. But what about visualization? This is where it is much more difficult to find good material. But now, Bruce Alberston's highly original work fills this gap.To master his puzzles, you have to exert better control and command of the full potential of all the pieces and you have to visualize their move­ments in your mind's eye. This sounds more difficult than it is, but in fact only one piece moves in each maze. The result? Excellent training to avoid one-move blunders!Another typical question concerning chess vision is: What is the minimum number of moves needed to get from one square to another? You will be challenged here as well, because the puzzles must be solved in the mini­mum number of moves.I have only one caveat: don't forget that in a real game both players alter­nate moves, and so you must always watch out for your opponent's threats and plans.I hope that you will enjoy winding your way through these mazes and improving your chess vision!Karsten MüllerHamburg, GermanySeptember 2004